Inside Putnam County IN Health Dept: Key Programs
- 01. Putnam County Indiana Health Dept Essentials: What to Know
- 02. Core Services and Operations
- 03. Environmental Health and Food Safety
- 04. Staff Directory and Key Contacts
- 05. Health First Putnam County Grant Program
- 06. Location and Accessibility
- 07. Emergency Preparedness and Response
- 08. Community Health Monitoring and Data
- 09. Conclusion
Putnam County Indiana Health Dept Essentials: What to Know
The Putnam County Health Department is located at 1542 S Bloomington St, Suite 1500, Greencastle, Indiana 46135, inside the Putnam County Hospital Medical Office Building, and can be reached at (765) 653-0203 during weekday hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a lunch closure from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.. This local public health agency serves approximately 38,000 residents across Putnam County by providing essential services including vital records registration, immunization programs, environmental health inspections, communicable disease investigation, and emergency preparedness coordination under Indiana State Department of Health guidelines.
Core Services and Operations
The health department services encompass nine essential public health functions mandated by the Indiana State Department of Health, with the department employing approximately 11-50 full-time staff members dedicated to population health protection. Residents regularly access vital records registration for birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses through Administrative/Registrar Joni Young at extension 401, who processes an average of 15-20 vital events daily across the county.
Immunization programs operate year-round serving children, adolescents, and adults with CDC-recommended vaccines, including seasonal influenza shots that administered 2,350 doses during the 2024-2025 flu season alone. The nursing team led by Medical Office Manager Tia Kirchner (extension 400) includes Public Health Nurses Sara Burnett, RN (extension 403) and Sherri Miller, LPN (extension 404), who collectively maintain vaccination records for over 12,000 county residents.
Environmental Health and Food Safety
The environmental health division conducts over 850 annual inspections of food establishments, swimming pools, septic systems, and housing units to ensure compliance with Indiana State Rule and local county ordinances. Environmental Services Division Manager Allison McCarty (extension 405) supervises Environmental Health Specialists Michelle Martin and Ashley Hutcheson (both extension 406), who issue food permits across multiple categories with fees ranging from $25 for temporary events to $175 for full-service restaurants.
To request a food permit application, contact the office at (765) 653-0203 and press option 2; the department now accepts online payments for all permit fees, streamlining the renewal process for 400+ licensed food establishments countywide.
- Food establishment permits categorized by operation type with fee schedule from $25-$175
- Swimming pool inspections required annually for all public and semi-public facilities
- Septic system evaluations and permits for new construction and repairs
- Housing code enforcement for rental properties and public nuisance abatement
- Tobacco cessation support through Indiana Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Staff Directory and Key Contacts
The health officer Dr. Adam D. Amos, M.D. provides clinical leadership and serves as the primary medical authority for public health decisions, while Assistant Administrator Brian Williams (extension 402) manages daily operations and serves as Preparedness Coordinator for emergency response events. The department's organizational structure emphasizes specialized expertise with dedicated staff for administrative functions, nursing services, environmental health, and emergency preparedness rather than generalist roles.
- Dr. Adam D. Amos, M.D. - Health Officer (clinical leadership and medical oversight)
- Joni Young - Administrative/Registrar, extension 401 (vital records, birth/death certificates)
- Brian Williams - Assistant Administrator, extension 402; also Preparedness Coordinator, (765) 721-4149
- Tia Kirchner - Medical Office Manager, extension 400 (nursing department oversight)
- Sara Burnett, RN - Public Health Nurse, extension 403 (immunizations, health education)
- Sherri Miller, LPN - Public Health Nurse, extension 404 (vaccinations, cottage health)
- Allison McCarty - Environmental Services Division Manager, extension 405
- Michelle Martin - Environmental Health Specialist, extension 406 (food safety, pools)
- Ashley Hutcheson - Environmental Health Specialist, extension 406 (septic, housing)
Health First Putnam County Grant Program
The Health First Putnam County initiative launched in March 2024 accepts grant applications up to 750 words from organizations addressing core public health services with measurable metrics and defined target populations. Applicants must provide complete point-of-contact information including name, address, phone number, and email address, along with detailed project descriptions outlining implementation processes, timelines, staff qualifications, and itemized budgets covering salaries, materials, supplies, and advertising expenses.
This competitive funding mechanism supports community partnerships aligned with the department's mission to mobilize community partnerships for solving health problems, with successful grants requiring explicit connection to Key Performance Indicators and measurable public health outcomes.
| Service Category | Primary Contact | Extension | Annual Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vital Records | Joni Young | 401 | 5,000+ certificates |
| Immunizations | Sara Burnett, RN | 403 | 2,350 flu doses (2024-25) |
| Food Safety | Allison McCarty | 405 | 850+ inspections |
| Emergency Preparedness | Brian Williams | 402 | 12 active plans |
| Communicable Disease | State Hotlines | N/A | 150+ reports/year |
Location and Accessibility
The department location at 1542 S Bloomington St, Suite 1500 within Putnam County Hospital provides convenient access to complementary medical services, with mailing address PO Box 507, Greencastle, IN 46135 for correspondence. Fax services are available at (765) 653-0208 for document transmission, and the department maintains an Instagram presence @putnamhealthin for health alerts and service announcements.
Putnam County sits approximately 40 miles west of Indianapolis along the US-40 corridor (historic National Road), serving residents in Greencastle,ACKETOWN, Danville, and surrounding unincorporated areas through this centralized county health facility.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
Preparedness Coordinator Brian Williams maintains 12 active emergency response plans covering natural disasters, disease outbreaks, hazardous material incidents, and public health emergencies, with a dedicated emergency contact line at (765) 721-4149 separate from the main office number. The department coordinates with Indiana State authorities and local first responders to ensure emergency response capability during crises affecting county residents.
The Putnam County Health Department strives to monitor health status, diagnose health problems, inform and educate residents, mobilize community partnerships, develop health policies, enforce protective laws, link people to services, assure competent workforce, evaluate service quality, and research innovative solutions.
Community Health Monitoring and Data
The department actively monitors health status to identify community health problems through surveillance systems tracking communicable diseases, chronic conditions, environmental exposures, and population health trends across Putnam County's 38,000 residents. This data-driven approach informs policy development, resource allocation, and targeted interventions for high-risk populations including children, elderly adults, and immunocompromised individuals.
Research initiatives generate new health insights through partnerships with Indiana University, Purdue University, and Indiana State Department of Health, focusing on rural health disparities, vaccination coverage gaps, and environmental justice issues affecting west-central Indiana communities.
Conclusion
The Putnam County Health Department represents a critical infrastructure component protecting public health through comprehensive services spanning vital records, immunizations, environmental health, disease surveillance, and emergency preparedness for west-central Indiana residents. With experienced leadership under Dr. Adam D. Amos, M.D., streamlined online payment systems, and strategic location within Putnam County Hospital, the department delivers essential public health functions meeting Indiana State Department of Health standards while responding to evolving community needs. Residents should save the main phone number (765) 653-0203 and understand weekday operating hours to access timely health services, permits, and vital record documentation.
Expert answers to Inside Putnam County In Health Dept Key Programs queries
What hours is the Putnam County Health Department open?
The department hours are weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST with a lunch closure from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.; visitors should plan arrivals before 3:30 p.m. to complete transactions before closing.
How do I report a communicable disease in Putnam County?
Providers must call communicable disease reporting numbers at (317) 233-7125 during weekdays 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. EST or (317) 233-1325 after hours to report suspected or confirmed cases to Indiana State authorities.
Does the health department accept online payments?
Yes, the online payment system accepts credit/debit cards for all permit fees, vital record copies, and service charges, eliminating the need for check payments or in-person transactions.
What is the department's mission statement?
The mission statement states the intent is to prevent, promote, and protect health, safety, and vital records by providing wellness screenings, educational programs, enforcing public health laws, and accurately recording all vital events in Putnam County.
How many employees work at the health department?
The employee count ranges from 11-50 full-time staff members according to LinkedIn company data, with some sources indicating approximately 90 total positions including part-time and seasonal workers.
What website should I visit for more information?
The official website is putnamhealthindiana.org where residents can access service details, forms, fee schedules, and online payment portals for permits and vital records.